Afghanistan Conflict Monitor

Taliban Growth In North Threatens To Expand War

'Taliban Expand Presence In Northern Afghanistan', The Dallas Morning News, 29 August 2009

EXCERPT: "Taliban insurgents have taken over parts of two northern provinces from which they were driven in 2001, threatening to disrupt NATO's new supply route from Central Asia and expand a war that has largely been confined to Afghanistan's southern half, U.S. and Afghan officials say. Violence has been on the rise in recent months as the Taliban and foreign fighters linked to al-Qaeda have staged hit-and-run attacks, bombings and rocket strikes on German, Belgian and Hungarian forces in Baghlan and neighboring Kunduz provinces. The insurgents now control three Pashtun-dominated districts in Kunduz and Baghlan-i-Jadid, a district in northern Baghlan province, gaining a foothold in a region that was long considered safe, local officials said. With a force estimated at 300 to 600 hard-core fighters, they operate checkpoints at night on the highway to the north, now a major supply route, and are extorting money, food and lodging from villagers."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Escalating insurgency in Afghanistan's Kunduz province rooted in past', China View, 31 August 2009

'Afghanistan: Taliban bomb kills senior official in north', Adnkronos International, 31 August 2009

Related posts:

'Taliban fire rockets into Kabul', 4 August 2009

'Bundeswehr faces uphill battle against Taliban', 29 July 2009

'Troops moved to south, clahses in north', 22 July 2009

'Conflict analysis: Kunduz city, Kunduz province', 12 March 2009

'Germany discovers a war in Afghanistan', 9 September 2008

Taliban "Out-Governing" The Government

'Taliban Ready If Afghan Government Fails, Analyst Warns', Reuters, 31 August 2009

EXCERPT: "Afghanistan's government must fight corruption and quickly deliver services to Afghans, because Taliban militants are filling gaps and winning support to their cause, a top counter-insurgency expert said on Monday. The Taliban were already running courts, hospitals and even an ombudsman in parallel to the government, making a real difference to local people, said David Kilcullen, a senior adviser to U.S. commander General Stanley McChrystal. 'A government that is losing to a counter-insurgency isn't being outfought, it is being out-governed. And that's what's happening in Afghanistan,' Kilcullen told Australia's National Press Club. Afghanistan has been in a state of political limbo since August 20 presidential elections, with partial results so far placing President Hamid Karzai in the lead, but not by enough to avoid a second round against his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah. But the election, which the Taliban failed to disrupt with rocket attacks, has been marred by allegations of fraud with around a third of the votes counted."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Taliban "out-governing" Afghan government', ABC News, 31 August 2009

'Taliban "laying down the law"', The Age, 31 August 2009

Related posts:

'What motivates the Taliban', 23 July 2009

'Dimensions of the Afghan insurgency', 15 July 2009

'The Taliban's winning strategy in Afghanistan', 7 July 2009

'The Afghan-Pakistan war: "Clear, hold, build"', 25 May 2009

'The return of the Taliban', 27 January 2009

US, Afghan Forces Strike Haqqani Network Bases

'US, Afghan Forces Strike Haqqani Network Bases', The Long War Journal, 30 August 2009

EXCERPT: "Afghan and US forces killed scores of Haqqani Network fighters during assaults on two bases in the mountains in eastern Afghanistan. The first attack took place on Aug. 28 when a joint US and Afghan force assaulted a fortified Haqqani Network base located in the mountains of the Urgun District in Paktika province along the Pakistani border. The US military said 'a large number of hostile militants' were killed during a daylong assault on what the US military described as a 'logistics base and safe haven for foreign fighters.' US and Afghan forces called in air support to help defeat enemy counterattacks. The joint forces found a series of bunkers, buildings, and weapons caches, which included anti-aircraft artillery pieces and other heavy weapons, in the mountain hideout. The second attack took place late at night on Aug. 29 in the Sapera district in Khost province."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Afghanistan: NATO troops destroy bunker in raid near Pakistan border', The Telegraph, 31 August 2009

'Anti-Taliban ops claim high toll in Afghanistan', AFP, 30 August 2009

'35 Taliban insurgents killed in east Afghanistan', China View, 30 August 2009

Related posts:

'The Haqqani Network conducted high-profile assaults', 1 June 2009

'Al Qaeda's shadow army outlines Afghan strategy', 14 April 2009

'Key Afghan insurgents open door to talks', 18 March 2009

'Deadlier Taliban network surfaces', 9 February 2009

'Coalition forces target Haqqani Network', 9 September 2008

US, NATO General Completes Review, Calls For Change

'US "Needs Fresh Afghan Strategy"', BBC News, 31 August 2009

EXCERPT: "A top US general in Afghanistan has called for a revised military strategy, suggesting the current one is failing. In a strategic assessment, Gen Stanley McChrystal said that, while the Afghan situation was serious, success was still achievable. The report has not yet been published, but sources say Gen McChrystal sees protecting the Afghan people against the Taliban as the top priority. The report does not carry a direct call for increasing troop numbers. 'The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort,' Gen McChrystal said in the assessment. Copies of the document have been sent to Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. Mr Gates said that although he had not yet seen the report he expected it to show that there were 'challenges that remain before us... and areas where we can do better' in Afghanistan."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Afghanistan strategy must change, US commander McChrystal says', The Guardian, 31 August 2009

'Gates: Report details highs, lows of Afghan fight', The Associated Press, 31 August 2009

'US reviewing Afghanistan strategy', Radio Australia News, 31 August 2009

'US sets metrics to assess war success', The Washington Post, 30 August 2009

Related posts:

'Policy followed by decline in civilian deaths: NATO', 27 August 2009

'2009 deadliest year for NATO troops', 25 August 2009

'Growing threat in Afghan east', 24 August 2009

'US public support slips for Afghan war', 19 August 2009

'New US administration, new directions', 13 March 2009

New British Army Chief Pledges Afghanistan Focus

'New British Army Chief Pledges Afghanistan Focus', Reuters UK, 28 August 2009

EXCERPT: "The country's new army chief General David Richards took command on Friday, pledging to focus on the conflict in Afghanistan where 9,000 British soldiers are on duty. Richards takes over as chief of the general staff from General Richard Dannatt following the bloodiest month for the British military since the 1980s Falklands War after July's loss of 22 troops in the Afghan conflict. His arrival will be closely watched to see if it results in additional British forces being sent to the region. In October last year, when his appointment was announced, Richards suggested in a newspaper interview that he wanted to see a surge of up to 30,000 troops in Afghanistan, including 5,000 more British soldiers. His comments came shortly before U.S. President Barack Obama, newly elected, decided to pursue a surge strategy in Afghanistan, sending around 20,000 more U.S. troops to the war zone, some of them to reinforce British units in the south."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Britain names Gen. David Richards new army chief', The Associated Press, 28 August 2009
'New U.K. army chief faces two battles: Taliban and resources', The Wall Street Journal, 28 August 2009
'Army chief in Afghan campaign vow', The Press Association, 28 August 2009
'New head of army says he was warned of troop shortages three years ago', Times Online, 28 August 2009

Related posts:
'UK sends 125 troops after heavy losses', 24 July 2009
'Helicopter shortage hurting British operations', 16 July 2009
'British govt criticised over equipment', 13 July 2009
'Afghan toll "will rise further":UK', 8 July 2009
'Britain's war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan triple', 3 July 2009

Accusations Of Vote Fraud Multiply

'Accusations Of Vote Fraud Multiply In Afghanistan', The Washington Post, 28 August 2009

EXCERPT: "One week after Afghanistan's presidential election, with the winner still undeclared, increasing accusations of fraud and voter coercion threaten to undermine the validity of the results, deepen dangerous regional divisions and hamper the Obama administration's goals in this volatile country. With U.S. popular support for the war in Afghanistan wavering, an election viewed as illegitimate by many Afghans would be a major setback for President Obama, who has increased U.S. military and economic efforts in a conflict central to his foreign policy. Officials worry that a Kabul government tainted by allegations of election-stealing or destabilized by a potentially violent backlash could derail U.S. efforts to beat back a resurgent Taliban and build Afghan security forces. In interviews here in the capital of Balkh province in northern Afghanistan, the governor, election officials and residents described incidents of ballot-box stuffing and voter intimidation, particularly by election monitors. The many allegations of fraud add to the chorus of doubts from candidates and observers in other parts of the country about the fairness of the election process."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Quick declaration in Afghan presidential election unlikely', VOA News, 28 August 2009
'Abdullah Abdullah warns of survival of Afghanistan at risk', The Telegraph, 28 August 2009
'Holbrooke, Karzai reportedly argue over alleged Afghan vote fraud', Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 28 August 2009
'Afghanistan: Election endorsement threatens to harm international community's credibility', EurasiaNet, 28 August 2009
'US warns Karzai on fraud, corruption, militia ties', Reuters, 27 August 2009

Related posts:
'Abdullah spurns Karzai's "mafia-like" political deals', 27 August 2009
'Election fraud allegations mount, Karzai extends lead', 26 August 2009
'Why Afghans voted in 2009', 25 August 2009
'Afghanistan awaits first election results', 24 August 2009
'Karzai and warlords in alleged vote fraud scheme', 19 August 2009

ISAF Commander's Counterinsurgency Guidance

'ISAF Commander's Counterinsurgency Guidance', International Security Assistance Force / North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 26 August 2009

EXCERPT: "The ISAF commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, issued his counterinsurgency guidance to his forces here Aug. 26th, which provides direction to ISAF conducting counterinsurgency and stability operations in Afghanistan. 'Protecting the people is the mission,' said McChrystal, who explains the conflict in Afghanistan will be won by gaining the support of the population, not by destroying the enemy. In his guidance, McChrystal directs his forces to change their conventional mindsets and outlines the path to success through earning the trust of the Afghan people, partnering with the Afghan National Security Forces, building governance and accountability, and improving and adapting operations to local conditions. The counterinsurgency guidance calls for getting Afghans involved as active participants in the success of their communities, and continues ISAF's focus on protecting civilians and operating in a manner that is respectful and mindful of Afghan culture."

To continue reading the report, click here [pdf].

See also:
'US general seeks to win Afghan hearts', Gulf Times, 27 August 2009
'US general orders new mindset', News 24, 27 August 2009

Related posts:
'Policy followed by decline in civilian deaths: NATO', 27 August 2009
'The ANSF is vital to NATO/ISAF success', 27 July 2009
'The Afghanistan campaign: Can we win?', 23 July 2009
'Afghanistan: Looking forward', 30 June 2009
'NATO Afghanistan report 2009', 1 April 2009

Turkey To Double Military Presence

'Turkey To Increase Military Presence In Afghanistan', Bloomberg, 28 August 2009

EXCERPT: "Turkey pledged to double its contribution to peacekeeping in Afghanistan, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said. The reinforcements will bring the Turkish force to 1,600 troops from 795 and will arrive when Turkey takes over control of the rotating command of NATO operations in the Afghan capital Kabul in November, Davutoglu said at a news conference in Ankara today with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Rasmussen thanked Turkey for its contribution and called for 'even more,' particularly trainers to help develop Afghanistan's own security forces. Davutoglu said Turkey is already helping with training and didn't make any new pledge. Improving security and civil infrastructure in Afghanistan is essential to winning a conflict in which NATO 'must prevail,' Rasmussen said."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:
'Turkey extends support to new NATO chief after bicker', China View, 28 August 2009
'NATO wants troops to boost Afghan forces training', Reuters, 28 August 2009
'NATO chief: Mission to last "as long as it takes"', The Associated Press, 28 August 2009
'NATO wants to push Afghan military training', Deutsche Welle, 28 August 2009
'Turkey should expand role in Afghanistan: NATO chief', AFP, 26 August 2009

Related posts:
'Turkey to mediate between Afghanistan, Pakistan', 17 September 2008
'Turkish armed forces in Afghanistan', 1 May 2008
'NATO making mistake in Afghanistan: Turkish minister', 16 April 2008
'Turkish military advisers work in southern Afghanistan', 2 April 2008
'No plans to send combat troops to Afghanistan: Turkey', 18 March 2008

Abdullah Spurns Karzai’s "Mafia-Like" Political Deals

'Abdullah Spurns Karzai's "Mafia-Like" Political Deals', Bloomberg, 27 August 2009

EXCERPT: "Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah says he won't take part in a power-sharing deal with incumbent Hamid Karzai, if that means accepting what he views as a fraudulent election. 'I don't find a place for myself in this mafia-type system,' Abdullah said in an interview last night at his home in Kabul. He spoke hours after the Independent Election Commission said Karzai had widened his lead, 42 percent to 33 percent for Abdullah, with about 17 percent of votes counted. Abdullah said he 'will not accept the outcome' if Karzai is declared the victor, unless election authorities resolve a growing mass of formal reports of fraud, which total 1,915, according to Ahmed Muslim Khuram, a spokesman for the Electoral Complaints Commission."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Delay further muddies confused Afghan poll picture', Reuters, 27 August 2009

'Afghanistan election results on hold for at least two days', VOA News, 27 August 2009

'Afghanistan caught in complex guessing game', AFP, 27 August 2009

'Afghanistan: Win the election, lose the country', The National, 27 August 2009

'Afghanistan's future stands at a crucial crossroad', Deutsche Welle, 27 August 2009

Related posts:

'Why Afghans voted in 2009', 25 August 2009

'Afghanistan awaits first election results', 24 August 2009

'Karzai, Abdullah both claim lead in election', 21 August 2009

'Afghan vote count begins amid violence', 20 August 2009

'AIHRC-UNAMA second joint report on elections', 14 August 2009

US Helicopter Attacks Clinic, 12 Taliban Killed

'US Helicopter Attacks Clinic Treating Taliban Commander', The Guardian, 27 August 2009

EXCERPT: "A US helicopter gunship has fired at a clinic in eastern Afghanistan where a wounded Taliban commander was being treated. According to the US military, the helicopter opened fire during a lengthy battle with Taliban fighters after Afghan and US forces made sure no civilians were inside. Reports of casualties varied. A spokesman for the governor of Paktita province said 12 Taliban fighters died but police said two. The US military did not report any deaths. The fighting began after US and Afghan forces received a tip-off that a Taliban commander and three other fighters had been brought into the clinic. Snipers in a tower near the clinic fired at the troops as they approached, triggering a five-hour confrontation between about 20 insurgents and Afghan and US forces. The troops called in air support.  'After ensuring the clinic was cleared of civilians, an AH-64 Apache helicopter fired rounds at the building, ending the direct threat and injuring the targeted insurgent in the building,' a US military statement said."

To continue reading the article, click here.

See also:

'Afghan Taliban commander is captured in raid', The New York Times, 27 August 2009

'12 Taliban killed in battle in Afghan clinic', The Times of India, 27 August 2009

'Afghans in greatest danger since Taliban fell: Amnesty', AFP, 27 August 2009

'In southern Afghan city, fears of Taliban takeover', The Associated Press, 27 August 2009

Related posts:

'Taliban attack Afghan election vehicle', 21 August 2009

'US "deadline" for mission results', 21 August 2009

'The Afghanistan campaign: Can we win?', 23 July 2009

'Taliban chief extends control over insurgency', 22 June 2009